In an Adult Ballet, Perfecting Plies, Pirouettes, and Pas de Deux 

By Wendy Carlson

“You’ve got this!” our instructor Victoria Mazzarelli cajoled us as we readied ourselves to dance across the studio. Everyone in this Sunday morning adult ballet class at The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory in Torrington was up for the challenge regardless of their experience, age, or ability—which came as a relief to someone who had never taken a dance class before. Despite our differences, we all shared a common desire to make ballet a part of our lives and an appreciation for its health benefits.

Ballet develops better balance and posture, improves focus and flexibility, expands our bodies range of motion, builds endurance and stamina, and strengthens our bones. There are cognitive benefits, too. Concentrating on the sequence of steps and coordinating it to the music is a brain workout. Learning in a supportive group setting also helps reduce stress, anxiety and depression, and creates social connections. 

Still, learning ballet is no cakewalk. I sheepishly took my place at the barre behind a woman wearing pretty pink leggings with her hair swept up into a perfect bun, whom I tried to follow. Noticing my ill-fated attempts, she told me after class that she knew absolutely nothing about ballet when she started several years ago at age 57.

“I was absolutely terrified in the first class and decided I would never come back,” says Melissa Marks. “But I went home and watched a lot of Ballet 101 on Youtube. Finally, my sons persuaded me to go back because they knew ballet had been my childhood dream.”

Her encouragement came at a good time as I watched Joe Lauretano, 63, leap across the floor like a gazelle and I was next after him. Lauretano began taking ballet lessons at age 18 with Sharon Dante, the founder of Nutmeg. Now, 39 years later, he decided to resume his passion. “I just light up with joy when I cross that floor,” he says as he glides up to me.

I had not reached that level of exultation yet, but I did experience a frisson of joy after successfully making it across the floor without falling flat on my face.

This eclectic group works largely due to the supportive and forgiving environment. Victoria Mazzarelli, Nutmeg’s executive director and artistic director, is an uber-accomplished professional who clearly loves teaching ballet, even to beginners. 

For newbies, her advice is to allow yourself to be vulnerable. She will often take a flustered student by the hand and guide them across the floor as she counts beats out loud and bold faces the steps.

Newcomer Claudia Larssen, explains: “You can’t be intimidated.You just have to jump right in, you can’t be afraid of making a mistake. We’re not 13-year-olds, no one is going to laugh at you.” 

Truth be told, I will never master ballet, but therein lies the beauty of the discipline. There is always something to work toward and that in itself is satisfying. In the process, I like to think I leave class standing a little taller, walking a little more erect, and feeling more graceful. —nutmegconservatory.org